Chondromas are rare, slow-growing, benign (noncancerous) tumors made of cartilage that usually develop in the sinuses and skull bones. They can also grow in the hand, foot, upper arm, thigh, and rib bones. Chondromas are usually treated with surgical removal.
UPMC experts specialize in minimally invasive surgery to remove chondroma tumors in the skull base and paranasal sinuses.
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What Is a Chondroma?
A chondroma is a rare, slow-growing, benign (noncancerous) tumor made of cartilage that usually develops in the sinuses and skull bones. Chondromas can also grow in the hand, foot, upper arm, thigh, and rib bones. They are usually treated with surgical removal.
What is the most common site of a chondroma?
They usually develop in the sinuses and skull bones, but can also grow in the hand, foot, upper arm, thigh, and rib bones.
What are the types of chondromas?
There are several types of chondromas, including:
- Enchondromas — The most common type of chondroma, enchondromas are found within the marrow cavity of your bone.
- Osteochondromas — Grow at the ends of long bones.
- Periosteal chondromas — Found on the surface of your bone.
- Soft tissue chondromas — The least common type of chondroma, soft tissue chondromas are found in soft tissues such as tendons or joint capsules.
- Synovial chondromas — Develop within tendons.
How common are chondromas?
Chondromas are rare.
What causes chondromas?
Researchers aren’t sure what causes chondromas to develop.
Complications of chondromas
As chondromas grow, they may destroy bone or cause an overgrowth of bone. They also may compress your brain or cranial nerves, causing neurological symptoms. Rarely, they can progress to chondrosarcomas, a cancerous form of chondromas.
What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Chondromas?
Chondromas may not cause symptoms until they become large.
Symptoms may include:
- Bone deformities.
- Pain.
- Visual or neurological disturbances if the tumor is in your skull or sinuses.
When should I see a doctor about my chondroma symptoms?
If you have chondroma symptoms, you should schedule an appointment with your doctor as soon as possible.
How Do You Diagnose Chondromas?
To diagnose a chondroma, your doctor will ask you about your symptoms and perform a physical exam.
What to expect during your visit
If your doctor suspects a chondroma, they will:
- Ask you about your symptoms.
- Order imaging tests.
- Perform a physical exam.
Tests to diagnose chondroma
Imaging studies help your doctor diagnose and locate the chondroma, and may include:
- CT scan — A test that creates images of your body's organs, bones, and tissues.
- MRI — Uses a combination of large magnets, radio frequencies, and a computer to produce detailed images to pinpoint where the tumor is and help doctors develop a treatment plan.
- X-ray — A diagnostic test that uses invisible electromagnetic energy beams to produce images of internal tissues, bones, and organs.
Chondroma prognosis
Your prognosis after a chondroma diagnosis depends on the size, location, and extent of your tumor. Surgical removal of chondromas is highly successful and provides a cure in most cases.
How Do You Treat Chondroma?
The goals of chondroma treatment are to remove the tumor, eliminate symptoms, and reduce your risk of complications. Surgical removal is the preferred treatment for most chondromas.
Surgical treatment options include:
Minimally invasive surgery to treat chondromas
At UPMC, the preferred surgical treatment for chondromas of the skull base and paranasal sinuses is the endoscopic endonasal approach (EEA).
This innovative, minimally invasive technique uses the nose and nasal cavities as natural corridors to access hard-to-reach or previously inoperable tumors, without the need for an open incision.
Benefits of EEA include:
- Faster recovery time when compared to traditional open surgery.
- No disfigurement.
- No incisions.
Tumor removal and bone grafting
If your chondroma is in your hand, foot, upper arm, thigh, or rib, your doctor may perform a surgical procedure to remove the tumor from your bone. Depending on the tumor’s size and location, your doctor may use a bone graft or another substance to stabilize your bone after the procedure. Bone grafts can come from a donor or another part of your body.
Why Choose UPMC for Chondroma Care?
When you choose UPMC for chondroma care, you will receive:
- Access to world-class surgical expertise — Our world-renowned experts treat all types of chondroma tumors using the latest approaches and techniques.
- A full range of treatment options — We perform minimally invasive and traditional open surgical procedures to effectively treat all types of tumors while reducing your risk of complications.
- Multidisciplinary care — We partner with skull base surgeons, orthopaedists, vascular surgeons, neurologists, and other medical experts to provide complete care that optimizes your recovery and quality of life.
